Power-Supplying and Shock-Absorbing Device for an Exerciser

ABSTRACT

A power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser consists of a bracket and a dynamo. The dynamo generates electricity for the exerciser, and the bracket is connected with the dynamo and the exerciser by plural elastic members, which can provide different shock-absorbing and buffering effects on different positions of the bracket. By such arrangements, better shock-absorbing and buffering effect can be provided to the dynamo.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation of part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/882,127, which claims the benefit of the earlier filing dateof Jul. 31, 2007. Claims 1-7 of this application are new, Claims 8-12 ofthis application corresponds to the previous claims 5, 2, 3, 6 and 7 ofthe U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/882,127, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exerciser, and more particularly toa power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Common exercisers are mostly each provided with a display screen fordisplaying the amount of exercise or cooperating with an operation panelto increase additional functions. However, the display screen needs toconsume electric energy from external power supplies or in-builtbatteries, in other words, extra electrical energy.

In order to solve the above problems, exercisers which are eachinteriorly equipped with a dynamo have been developed on the market.During exercise, such an exerciser can actuate the internal dynamo togenerate electric energy and supply the electric energy to its displayscreen, thus achieving the objective of energy conversation.

However, in the above exerciser, the dynamo is directly fixed on theexerciser, so that the force and impact produced by exercise will betransferred to the dynamo. Because no buffer structure is arrangedbetween the dynamo and the exerciser, after a long time of use, it islikely to cause damage to the dynamo or a fixing structure between thedynamo and the exerciser.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate theafore-described disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide apower-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser comprising adynamo and an exerciser that are connected to a bracket through pluralelastic members. The first elastic members are arranged on the bracketto provide the buffering and shock-absorbing function between thebracket, the dynamo and the exerciser. The respective second elasticmembers includes a screw in each of two ends thereof for screwconnection, and the screws in two ends of the respective second elasticmembers are not in contact with each other in such a manner that theshock acting on the screws in two ends of the respective second elasticmembers can be absorbed by the elastic members. The elastic membersarranged on different positions of the bracket can provide differentbuffering and shock-absorbing effects.

The bracket is only provided with the first elastic members to space thedynamo apart from the exerciser, or connected to the dynamo and theexerciser by plural additional second elastic members. The respectivesecond elastic members include a screw in each of two ends thereof forscrew connection.

During exercise, the dynamo can be actuated to generate electricity forthe exerciser. The first elastic members are provided for spacing thedynamo apart from the bracket and the second elastic member are used toconnect the dynamo with the bracket. Since the bracket is connected tothe exerciser via the second elastic members, more than two times ofshock-absorbing and buffering effects are provided to the dynamo withrespect to the exerciser, thus offering the optimal shock-absorbing andbuffering effect, reducing the damage to the dynamo due to shock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing that a power-supplying andshock-absorbing device for an exerciser in accordance with the presentinvention is disposed on an exerciser;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the power-supplying and shock-absorbingdevice for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an assembly view of the power-supplying and shock-absorbingdevice for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the power-supplying andshock-absorbing device for an exerciser in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that a bracket is provided withsecond elastic members with respect to the dynamo, and provided withfirst elastic members with respect to a base frame.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that the bracket is covered with alayer of elastic rubber covering in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating that the second elastic membersin accordance with the present invention are each formed with a concaveportion;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating that the second elasticmembers in accordance with the present invention are each formed withthe concave portion;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating that the second elasticmembers in accordance with the present invention are each formed withthe concave portion; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the concave portions of thesecond elastic members and the elastic rubber covering covered on thebracket in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be clearer from the following descriptionwhen viewed together with the accompanying drawings, which show, forpurpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment in accordancewith the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a power-supplying and shock-absorbing device foran exerciser in accordance with the present invention is disposed on abase frame 1 of an exerciser and comprises a bracket 10 and a dynamo 20.The base frame 1 is provided with a driving wheel 2 which cooperateswith a belt 3 to connect the power-supplying and shock-absorbing device.

The bracket 10 includes a base plate 101 integral with a side plate 102.The base plate 101 and the side plate 102 are respectively defined withplural mounting holes 11. The respective mounting holes 11 are disposedwith plural elastic members 13, 30, 40 with respect to the dynamo 20 andthe base frame 1. The number, position and structure of the respectiveelastic members 13 changes to offer different shock-absorbing effects,so as to achieve the optimal shock-absorbing effect.

The respective mounting holes 11 are interiorly provided with a firstelastic member 13. Each of the first elastic members 13 is defined withan axial through hole 131. Each of two opposite ends of the respectivefirst elastic members 13 extends to form a radial stop flange 132. Themiddle portions of the first elastic members 13 are accommodated in therespective mounting holes 11, and the two stop flanges 132 of each ofthe first elastic members 13 clamp both sides of the base plate 101 orthe side plate 102, so that the first elastic members 13 are positionedin the respective mounting holes 11 to offer the first shock-absorbingfunction.

The dynamo 20 includes a stator 21 and a rotor 26. The stator 21includes a magnet holder 22 which is defined with a center axle hole 25and provided with a plurality of radial magnetic poles 24. An elasticcushion 290 and an axle bearing 29 are arranged in each of two ends ofthe axle hole 25 of the magnet holder 22. The respective elasticcushions 290 are located between the magnet holder 22 and the respectivebearings 29. A plurality of windings 23 is wound on the respectivemagnetic poles 24 and shows a rhombic end-face profile. One side of themagnet holder 22 of the stator 21 is screwed with a plurality ofmounting plates 15 by means of screws. The respective mounting plates 15are fixed on the side plate 102 through a plurality of second elasticmembers 30, so that the stator 21 can be connected to the bracket 10 bythe second elastic members 30. The respective second elastic members 30are in the form of a cylinder and provided with a screw 33 in each oftwo ends thereof. One end of the respective screws 33 is disposed in therespective second elastic members 30, and the other end of therespective screws 33 extends out of the respective second elasticmembers 30. The screws 33 in two ends of the respective elastic members30 are not in contact and connection with each other. The screw 33 inone end of the respective second elastic members 30 penetrates the firstelastic member 13 in the respective mounting holes 11 of the side plate102 of the bracket 10 to be screwed with a nut 34. The screw in theother end of the respective second elastic members 30 is screwed withthe respective mounting plates 15. The rotor 26 includes a wheel 27having a wheel axle 270, and a plurality of magnets 28. The wheel axle270 is inserted through the two bearings 29 and the axle hole 25 of themagnet holder 22. The wheel axle 270 is fixed with a belt pulley 224around which a belt 3 is wound. The magnets 28 are arranged opposite tothe magnetic poles 24 of the stator 21. Further, the wheel 27 is definedin one side thereof with a plurality of air holes 271 for quickdissipation of heat during operation of the dynamo 20.

The bracket 10 is fixed on the base frame 1 through a plurality ofsecond elastic members 40 having the same structure as the secondelastic members 30. The respective second elastic members 40 are in theform of a cylinder. The respective elastic members 40 include a screw 43in each of two ends thereof. One end of the respective screws 43 isdisposed in the respective elastic members 40, and the other end of therespective screws 43 extends out of the respective elastic members 40.The screws 43 in two ends of the respective second elastic members 40are not in contact and connection with each other. The screw 43 in oneend of the respective second elastic members 40 penetrates the firstelastic member 13 in the respective mounting holes 11 of the base plate101 and is screwed with a nut 44 to connect the respective secondelastic members 40 with the bracket 10. The screw 43 in the other end ofthe respective elastic members 40 is screwed with the base frame 1.

During exercise, the driving wheel 2 will be driven to pivot to drivethe belt 3, and then the belt 3 will drive the belt pulley 224 of therotor 26 of dynamo 20 to make the rotor 26 pivot. The magnetic lines offorce of the magnets 28 will work on the windings 23 at the magneticpoles 24 of the stator 21 to generate electricity during pivoting of therotor 26 with respect to the stator 21. The electricity generated by thewindings 23 of the stator 21 will be supplied to the display screen 4 ofthe exerciser. Further, the rhombic end-face profile of the magneticpoles 24 of the stator 21 enables the magnetic lines of force of themagnets 28 of the rotor 26 to work on the magnetic poles 24 obliquely,and therefore the rotor 26 can be pivoted more smoothly with lessresistance.

The second elastic members 30 are arranged between the bracket 10 andthe stator 21 of the dynamo 21, and the second elastic members 40 arearranged between the base frame 1 and the bracket 10. The first elasticmembers 13 can be respectively pr-arranged on a position of the bracket10, on which the second elastic members 30 and the second elasticmembers 40 will be then provided. Therefore, between the base frame 1and the rotor 26 are provided two kinds of members having the bufferingand shock-absorbing function, so that the transmission of force andimpact from the base frame 1 to the dynamo 20 can be greatly lessened,thus achieving the double buffering and shock-absorbing effect andavoiding the damage to the bracket due to shock. The position, numberand the cooperating configuration of the elastic members that arearranged on the bracket 10 can be varied as desired. As shown in FIGS.2-4, the bracket 10 can be provided with the first elastic members 13first and then provided with the second elastic members 30 and thesecond elastic members 40. Alternatively, the bracket 10 can be providedwith the second elastic members 30 on a position thereof opposite to thedynamo 20, and provided with the first elastic members 13 on a positionthereof opposite to the base frame 1 to be directly connected to thebase frame 1 by means of the screws 43 cooperating with the nuts 44,thus providing different elastic buffering effects on the above twopositions to achieve the above functions.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 10 can be covered with alayer of elastic rubber covering 101 to enhance the buffering andshock-absorbing effect.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, in the power-supplying and shock-absorbingdevice for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention, therespective second elastic members 30 can be defined with a radialconcave portion 31 in the middle portion thereof, and provided with astop ring 32 in each of two ends thereof. The screws 33 in two ends ofthe respective second elastic members 30 penetrate the respective stoprings and extend out of the respective elastic members 30. The screw 33in one end of the respective second elastic members 30 is screwed withthe nut 34 to mount the second elastic members 30 on the respectivemounting plates 15. Elastic pads 16 are respectively provided betweenthe respective mounting plates 15 and the magnet holder 22. Therespective second elastic members 40 are defined with a radial concaveportion 41 in the middle portion thereof, and provided a stop ring 42 ineach of two ends thereof, and the screws 43 in two ends of the secondelastic members 40 penetrate the respective stop rings 42 and extend outof the second elastic members 40.

By such arrangements, the elastic pads 16 between the respectivemounting plates 15 and the magnet holder 22 can enhance theshock-absorbing and buffering effect. Moreover, the radial concaveportions 31 of the second elastic members 30 and the radial concaveportions 41 of the second elastic members 40 can increase deformationcapacity, so as to enhance the shock-absorbing and buffering functionsof the second elastic members 30 and the second elastic members 40. Asshown in FIG. 10, the bracket 10 can also be covered with a layer ofelastic rubber covering 101 to enhance the shock-absorbing and bufferingeffect further.

While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, it is clear to those skilled in the art thatfurther embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

1. A power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser beingdisposed on an exerciser with a dynamo including a stator and a rotor,comprising: a bracket including a base plate integral with a side plate,the base plate and the side plate being respectively defined with pluralmounting holes, the respective mounting holes being provided with pluralelastic members for cooperation of connecting the base plate with theexerciser and connecting the side plate with the dynamo; the elasticmembers including at least one first elastic member and at least onesecond elastic member; the first elastic member including an axialthrough hole, each of two opposite ends of the respective first elasticmembers extending to form a radial stop flange, a middle portion of thefirst elastic member being accommodated in the mounting hole of thebracket; and the second elastic member including a screw in each of twoends thereof, one end of the respective screws being disposed in thesecond elastic member, the other end of the respective screws extendingout of the second elastic member, one of the screws being fixed with acorresponding member, and the other of the screws being inserted throughthe mounting hole of the bracket and then screwed with a nut.
 2. Thepower-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimedin claim 1, wherein plural second elastic members are arranged betweenthe side plate of the bracket and the dynamo, each of two ends of therespective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracketand the dynamo includes a screw, one end of each of the two screws intwo ends of the respective second elastic members between the side plateof the bracket and the dynamo is arranged in the respective secondelastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo,and the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic membersbetween the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo are not in contactwith each other, the other end of each of the two screws in two ends ofthe respective second elastic members between the side plate of thebracket and the dynamo extends out of the respective second elasticmembers between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo, one of thetwo screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members betweenthe side plate of the bracket and the dynamo is fixed with the stator ofthe dynamo, and the other of the two screws in two ends of therespective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracketand the dynamo is inserted through the mounting hole of the bracket andthen screwed with the nut.
 3. The power-supplying and shock-absorbingdevice for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein plural secondelastic members are arranged between the base plate of the bracket andthe exerciser, each of two ends of the respective second elastic membersbetween the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser includes ascrew, one end of each of the two screws in two ends of the respectivesecond elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and theexerciser is arranged in the respective second elastic members betweenthe base plate of the bracket and the exerciser, and the two screws intwo ends of the respective second elastic members between the base plateof the bracket and the exerciser are not in contact with each other, theother end of each of the two screws in two ends of the respective secondelastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciserextends out of the respective second elastic members between the baseplate of the bracket and the exerciser, one of the two screws in twoends of the respective second elastic members between the base plate ofthe bracket and the exerciser is fixed with a base frame, and the otherof the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic membersbetween the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser is insertedthrough the mounting hole of the bracket and then screwed with the nut.4. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting holes in the side plate of thebracket is further provided with the respective first elastic members,each of the first elastic members includes an axial through hole forinsertion of a screw.
 5. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing devicefor an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting holes inthe base plate of the bracket is further provided with the respectivefirst elastic members, each of the first elastic members includes anaxial through hole for insertion of a screw.
 6. The power-supplying andshock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe respective second elastic members are in the form of a cylinder andformed with a radial concave portion in a middle portion thereof.
 7. Thepower-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimedin claim 1, wherein each of two ends of the second elastic members isinteriorly provided with a stop ring, the screw in each of the two endsof the respective second elastic members penetrates the respective stoprings and extends out of the respective second elastic members.
 8. Thepower-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimedin claim 1, wherein the bracket is covered with a layer of an elasticrubber covering.
 9. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device foran exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator of the dynamoincludes a magnet holder which is defined with a center axle hole andprovided with a plurality of radial magnetic poles, an elastic cushionand an axle bearing are arranged in each of two ends of the axle hole ofthe magnet holder, the respective elastic cushions are located betweenthe magnet holder and the respective bearings, a plurality of windingsis wound on the respective magnetic poles and shows a rhombic end-faceprofile, one side of the magnet holder of the stator is screwed with aplurality of mounting plates by means of screws, the screw in one end ofthe respective second elastic members is screwed with the respectivemounting plates, the rotor includes a wheel having a wheel axle, and aplurality of magnets, the wheel axle is inserted through the twobearings and the axle hole of the magnet holder, the magnets arearranged opposite to the magnetic poles of the stator.
 10. Thepower-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimedin claim 9, wherein an elastic pad is provided between the respectivemounting plates and the magnet holder of the stator.
 11. Thepower-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimedin claim 9, wherein the respective magnetic poles of the stator have arhombic end face.
 12. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device foran exerciser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wheel of the rotor ofthe dynamo is defined in one side thereof with a plurality of air holes.